Eagle Eye: Hamstrung at QB

Nick Foles was concussed in the closing seconds of the third quarter of the Eagles' Week 7 loss to the Cowboys. (USA Today Images)

It’s safe to assume that Nick Foles is still feeling symptoms from the concussion he sustained Sunday against Dallas, and moving forward that Foles probably won’t be available in any capacity against the Giants.

As of early Thursday afternoon, Foles still hadn’t taken the ImPACT test that concussed NFL players must pass before they can be cleared to return to practice by a league-mandated independent neurologist, according to head coach Chip Kelly.

“He has to do a certain amount from a physical standpoint and then they determine that the next step after you do a physical [test] where he is and what his symptoms are,” Kelly said before practice. “Then the next step is the ImPACT testing.”

The team is prepared to go with Mike Vick at the Linc, although Kelly hasn’t yet named a starter. Vick has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury and it’s uncertain if he’s 100 percent.

Matt Barkley will be the No. 2 and continues to take snaps at practice in Foles’ place.

Kelly said Foles came to the NovaCare Complex on Thursday morning to work with the strength and conditioning staff. The fact that Foles hasn’t taken the ImPACT test suggests that he’s still not feeling right when his heart rate gets going.

Kelly was asked about the correlation, but he avoided getting into specifics.

“He hasn’t taken the test yet,” Kelly added. “I know he did some physical stuff with our trainers [Thursday] and I know he’s not going to practice [Thursday]. That’s as close as I am.”

It seems likely that practice squad quarterback G.J. Kinne will be signed to the 53-man roster later this week, unless Foles is somehow able to make it back in the next day or two and the coaches feel he can be the emergency quarterback.

Kelly, staying true to form, didn’t name an official starter. Asked if he anticipated Vick being able to start against the Giants, he said, “No, I don’t anticipate that.”

He mentioned that Vick continued to make progress from one day to the next.

“Mike had a good day [Wednesday], running around, but again, it’s how do you respond the next day?” he said. “We lifted [Thursday] morning so I’ll check with our strength and conditioning coaches [on] what he was like in the lifting session. Did we have any pain, where are we from that standpoint?”